“It’s rare.” Syla clasped his hand. “I finished healing Tabuvar and came to see what you’re up to. He offered me a room in back of the glassworks. I think Tibby will be working for days, so we’ll have to leave her here. In the morning, I want to find Teyla and make sure she’s all right. I also long to ask her if she can tell meanything useful about what’s been going on here—besides her arrest. Her knowledge could be helpful.”
“Yes.” Vorik squeezed her hand. “I’ve thought about suggesting that we could fly on Wreylith’s back straight into your castle and fight our way to the upstart usurper and take him down, but I can understand why you’d want to gather information first.”
“Itistempting to simply confront Lord Fograth, but even if we landed in the middle of the castle courtyard, we’d have to fight a lot of our own—myown people—to reach him. While having arrows and crossbow quarrels shot at us—and cannonballs fired at Wreylith. People would die.Wemight die.”
“Nah.” Vorik pulled Syla into his arms. “We’ve had lots of practice. We have to dodge arrows and cannonballs all the time. We even did it this morning.”
“It was harrowing.”
“I found it exhilarating.”
“But you’re odd.” Syla leaned into him.
“I am that.”
“So many of my people have died already these past weeks fighting the stormers. I want to avoid having more die. And, if I’m not careful, things could escalate into a civil war. That’s not how I want to start my rule of the Kingdom. Besides, even if we could fight our way to the throne room and stand before Fograth, I don’t have it in me to kill—to murder—him.”
“I do. He’s a conniving, ruthless schemer who cares nothing about people dying.”
“You’ve never met him.”
“And yet I’m certain I’m not wrong.” Vorik caught himself noticing her curves and her warmth through their clothing and wondered if this alley would be a safe place to let his hands wander. Could he entice her into a kiss? Surely, with Wreylith so close, nobody else would dare attack tonight.
“I suppose not,” Syla said. “I don’t know him well, but…”
“Actions define a man. He stole your throne while your entire kingdomshouldhave been focused on the external threat.” Sincehewas a part of the external threat—or had been—Vorik felt strange saying that, but it was true. “There’s no question that he’s lower than a snake’s balls.”
“I don’t think snakes have balls.”
“They do, actually, though they’re internal. And their penises are inverted.”
Syla leaned back to look at him. “You’re very knowledgeable on this matter.”
“Stormers spend a lot of time in nature.” Vorik shifted his arms to encourage her to lean closer again; he’d been enjoying having her chest molded to his. “Especially trying to avoid being eaten by the nature. If a giant boa constrictor or mangaloran death snake strikes at you, it’s important to know how to kick them in the balls so you can escape.”
“I’m… not certain you’re joking.”
“My life is interesting.” Vorik brushed a lock of hair away from her cheek and let his fingers linger. “Did you say there’s a room where we could… discuss this further?”
“I’m less keen to learn more about the subject of snake balls than you’d think.”
“I thought you were something of an academic. Every woman in your family totes books around like others carry water and snacks.”
“On select topics, I’m a voracious reader.”
“And snake anatomy isn’t one of them?”
“Strangely, it hasn’t called to me.”
“I can’t believe you thinkI’mthe odd one.”
“Oh, I’m odd too. I always have been.” Syla turned her face to lean into his touch.
“I like your oddness. And having your body pressed against mine. Especially…”
“My boobs?”
“They are two of my favorite parts of your body, yes.” Vorik let his eyelids droop and his gaze drift to her mouth, thoughts of kisses lingering. “Your lips are also most magnificent.”
